Safety release for wringers



Jan. 23, 1940. .LMIKULASEK .2,188,009

' SAFETY `RELEASE Eon wRINGERs 5 Filed Dec. zo', 1934 K 2 shuts-sheep;

.Jun-23,1940. l mKuLAsEK y *2,188,009

SAFETY RELEASE Fon wRINGERs- Filed nec. 2o, 19:54 2 sheets-snee: 2

Pereeted Jen. 23,1940

SAFETY RELEASE FOR W'BINGEBS John Mil'rulasck, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application peeember zo, 1934. serial No. 75am 13 Claims.

This invention relates to wringers land more particularly to the provision of a safety release positioned in an accessible place for quick manipulation by the operator to release the pressure between the rolls.

As is well known, in the use of wringers it is sometimes necessary for the operator to be able to quickly release the pressure between the rolls as, for example, in cases when the operators iingers, clothing, or the like, get caught between the rolls.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a safety release for wringers of such nature that it may be operated by either pushing or pulling upon the operating member and be quick and effective in operation to relieve the pressure between the rolls.

Another object is to provide in a safety release for wringers an operating portion so positioned as to be most accessible to be grasped by the operator for immediate operation to relieve the pressure between the rolls.

A further object is to provide a safety release for wringers which is quick in operation to relieve the pressure between the rolls and permits ready and easy reapplication of the pressure between the rolls when it is desired to return the parts to operating position.

A still further object is to provide improved means for positively and rmly holding the rolls together with the desired pressure and also permit the instant release of this pressure and separation of the rolls when desired.

Another object is to provide such apparatus that will be neat in appearance, economical oi manufacture and provide the maximum of safety for the operator.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities will hereinafter more fully appear.

My invention further resides in -the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illus. trated in the accompanying drawings, and while I have shown therein a preferred embodiment I wish it understood that the same is susceptible of modication and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a wringer with my improved safety release applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation looking toward the rightehand side of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of one end of a wringer having my invention applied thereto, parts being broken away (Cl. (iB-4263) Aand parts being shown in section for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section through an end portion of a wringer showing my invention applied thereto, thev section being taken in a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axes of the upper and lower rolls, these rolls and the operating plate at the top, however, being shown in elevation for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4: and lookingzin the direction of the arrows, and showing the parts in position to apply pressure between the rolls.

Fig. 6 is a'fragmentary view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the parts in position to release the pressure between the rolls.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the lever through whichpressure is applied betweenthe rolls and showing a modified form oi nose portion.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, I have shown my safety release for wringers applied to a wringer oi the split type. However, I wish it understood that the same may be applied to other types of wringers wherever applicable.

The wringer shown in the drawings comprises the main lower frame A and the upper auxiliary frame indicated generally at B. The main frame A, which is suitably mounted for swinging in a horizontal plane, has rotatably mounted therein the lower wringer roll l, while the auxiliary frame B has'rotatably mounted therein the upper roll 2. At each end of the main Aframe and slidably mounted in its interior is a pair of rods 3 and 4, each of which is urged downwardly byk a` coil spring 5, bearing at. its upper end against the seat 6 and at its lower end against the nut 1, these springs each being under compression, the amount of which compression lmay be adjusted by tiuning nut l. Rod 3, of which there is a similar rod at the other end of the main frame and on the same side of the wringer, is formed at its upper end with a hook portion 8 having a laterally extending projection 9 and an enlarged portion ill, which when the pressure between the rolls is relieved bears against the resilient washer ii, but which when pressure is applied between the rolls stands a slight distance away from this washer.

4Rod 4 is similar in construction to rod 3 except it is provided at its upper end with a head portion i2, having formed therein an opening I3 for receiving pin i4 for pivotally mounting thereto.. thebearing cap I5, there being one of these bear'- ing caps and a bolt l at each end of the wringer and upon the opposite side from rods 3, so that when the pressure between the wringer. rolls is released the upper auxiliary frame B may be swung upwardly and backwardly away from the main frame A to separate the rolls from each otherfas shown in dotted lines of Fig. 6.

Formed integrally with each of the bearing caps I 5 is an upstanding portion I6, in which is rotatably mounted the circular end I'I oi' the upstanding operating plate I8. Eccentrically iixed to the end portion or trunnion I'I of plate I'8 by means of a stud bolt, or the like I9, is a roller for a purpose more fully hereinafter set, forth.

This roller 20 due to its being eccentrically mounted with relation to trunnion I'I will move laterally in either direction depending upon which direction plate I8 is swung. Also pivoted in the bearing cap I5 at 2I is lever 22, which is generally in the form olf a bell-crank and is formed at its outer end with a nose portion 23 adapted to take under and lift to a certain extent projecting lip 9 of head 8 oi rod 3. At its opposite end lever 22 is formed with a projecting arm 26, which in its upper face is provided with a notch in which roller 20 is adapted to be seated when plate I8 stands in or approximately in a vertical position, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 5. v

In the lower face of extended arm 24 of lever 22 is an opening in which is seated a coil spring 26, the other end of which spring seats in a corresponding opening in the adjacent portion of bearing cap I5. This spring 26 presses arm 24 of lever 22 upwardly when roller 2B has been moved away from contact with arm 24. 'Ihis upward pressure of spring 26 causes nose 23 of lever 22 to move downwardly and inwardly away from contact with the hook lip 9 when roller 20 is out of contact with arm 2S, which latter position these parts will occupy when the pressure between the rolls has been released. As shown in Fig. 5, nose 23 of lever` 22 is formed integral with the lever. A modification of this is shown in Fig. 7, in which the nose of lever 22 is formed with a roller 23a to contact with the under face of the hook lip 9 of rod 3 when pressure is applied between the two rolls.

Each of bearing caps I5 is provided on its upper portion with a cover 21 to house the lever 22 and associated parts for protection from dirt and the like.

As seen from the above, the pair-oi tension rods 4 act as tension hinge rods, while the pair of tension rods 3 act as tension hook rods. The moving of these rods slightly upwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, will, due to the compression of the springs E, act in an obvious manner to apply pressure between the rolls. The rolls will at their ends be provided with the usual ball-bearings or other anti-friction means as desired. The release lever or plate Iii is journaled at each end, as described above, in the bearing caps I5, respectively, and extends substantially the full length of the wringer. The release plate I`8 is also provided at each end with a rubber cap, roller, or the like 2S, which, when the release plate I8 has been swung to its limit of movement on either side of the cover plate 2-1, will strike the bearing cap and silently stop further movement of the release plate I8 without marring or scratching cover 21. As shown in the drawings, release plate I8 extends upwardly a sub stantial distance above the trunnion II, thus aifording considerable leverage when its upper edge is grasped by the hand of the operator.

The operation of my safety release for wringers will be understood from the above, and from which it will be seen that when therelease plate I8 stands in a vertical or approximately vertical position, as shown in Fig. 5, the arm 24 of lever 22 will be pushed downwardly and held in that position by roller 20 seating in notch 25. When in this position the nose 23 of lever 22 lwill be under the hook projection 9, thus holding rods 3 in a slightly elevated position. which will result in causing pressure between the upper and lower rolls. This pressure will also be augmented by the fact that heads I2 oi' rods 4 likewise are elevated a slight distance above the adjacent portion of the main i'rame A, thus transmitting the compression of springs 5 to the rolls. Should any of the operator's iingers, clothing, or the like, bcome caught between the rolls all that is necessary for the operator to do is to either push or pull the upper portion oi plate I8, which will swing roller 20 laterally away from the notch 25 to a position where the wringer forces and spring 26 will move arm 2d of lever 22 upwardly and cause nose 23 to move downwardly and inwardly away from hook lip 9, thus instantly relieving the pressure between the two rolls and permitting, if desired, the upper auxiliary frame to be swung upwardly to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6 (or farther if desired) to separate the rolls from each other.

The engagement between the lever nose 23 and the hook lip 9 when'applying pressure between the rolls is further iacilitated by holding the head 8 against lateral slipping by reason of theslotted'guide 29 and shoulder 39, these parts being formed as shown in bearing cap I5. When the plate I8 is swung in either direction (by either pushing or pulling upon its upper edge) the roller 2t will be swung away from contact with arm 2dv oi lever 22, after which arm 2li Will be held upwardly by spring 26, thus moving nose 23 away from engagement with hook lip 9, which will allow the hook of the tension rod 3 to enter freely the guide slot in the bearing cap i5 during closing operation oi the auxiliary frame B.

By constructing the parts in such manner as to permit operation by either a pushing or pulling movement on the upper portion of plate I8, I have made possible a quick and eiiective operation of my safety release by reason oi eliminating any possible confusion on the part of the operator which might result if plate I8 were to be operated in only one direction. This adds greatly to the safety of the operator who, even if both hands were caught between the rolls, could rellease herself by bending forward and pushing plate I8 sidewise with her body.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In a wringer a main frame having a lower roll and roll pressure means, an upper frame carrying an upper roll, said upper frame being pivotally connected to the main frame and capable of being swung upwardly to separate the rolls, the pressure means on the main frame having a hook portion at each end of the main frame, a lever at each end of the upper frame and plvoted thereto, each lever having a projection to move under one of said hook portions or be moved free therefrom, and a swinging operating member fulcrumed in the respective ends of the upper frame, said operating member having at each end an eccentrically positioned projection movable against that portion of the adjacent lever that is on the opposite side oi.' the pivot alsaooa V .ber when swung in one direction from its midposition moving the eccentrically positioned projection away from pressure-applying position to free the projection from the hook and relieve the pressure between the rolls, and when swung in the other direction accomplishing the same result.

2. In a wringer having an upper and a lower frame, a pair of rolls and pressure means for applying Pressure between the rolls, a safety release for quickly relieving the pressure between the rolls, said saiety release comprising anjupstanding plate extending longitudinally of the wringer and having its ends-plvotally mounted in the respective ends of the upper frame, and connecting means between the `plate and pressure means whereby the pressure between the rolls will be quickly relieved upon swinging the plate in either direction, said pressure means comprising a spring-pressed rod havinga lateral projection formed on its upper end, and said connecting means `comprising a lever having a fulcrum and a nose movable under said lateral projection to apply and relieve the pressure between the rolls depending upon the direction of movement of the lever, said plvotally mounted plate having a projection eccentricv to the pivotal axis of the plate, said projection contacting the lever to hold the lever nose under the lateral projection when the plate stands in one position and to permit it to move therefrom when the plate is swung in either direction, said swinging of the plate in either direction irom mid-position also permitting separation of the rolls.

3. In a wringer having a main and an auxiliary frame, a pair of rolls and pressure means for applying pressure between the rolls, a safety release for quickly relieving the pressure between the rolls, said safety release comprising an upstanding plate extending longitudinally of the wringer and having its ends plvotally mounted inthe respective ends of the auxiliary frame, and connecting means between the plate and pressure means whereby the pressure between the rolls will be quickly relieved upon swinging the plate in either direction, said pressure means comprising a spring-pressed rod having a lateral projection on its upper' end, and said connecting means comprising a lever having a tulcrum and a nose movable under the lateral projection to apply and relieve the pressure between the rolls depending upon the direction of movement of the lever, said plvotally mounted plate having a projection eccentric to the pivotal axis oi the plate, said projection contacting the lever to hold the lever nose under the lateral projection when the plate stands in one position and to permit it to move therefrom when the plate is swung in.

either direction, and means for holding said lever nose away from the lateral projection when the plate is swung away from said one position, the swinging oi' the plate in either direction from mid-position also permitting separation of the rolls.

4. In a wringer a main frame having a roll and roll pressure means mounted therein, said pressure means comprising two pairs oi springpressed rods vertically slidable in the main frame, an auxiliary frame plvotally connected with the upper ends of one pair of the rods, each of the other pair of rods having a hook on its upper end,

75 said auxiliary frame having a lever fulcrumed in each end thereof. each ol.' said levers having a nose engageable under the adjacent hook. a roll mounted in the auxiliary frame. said auxiliary :traine comprising a longitudinallyextendingplate rotatably journaled in the ends thereof, the journals oi said-plate each carrying an eccentrically mounted projection normally in contact with the adjacent lever to hold the lever noses under the hooks to slightly raise the corresponding rods to hold the rolls together under pressure. said lever noses being freed from contact with the hooks and the rolls being separable when the plate is swung laterally in either direction.

, 5. In a wringer of the split type having a main frame and an auxiliary frame plvotally mounted at the opposite ends of the main frame for swinging vmovement about said spaced pivots, each of ,the frames having a roll mounted therein, means for applying pressure between the rolls, an upstanding plate extending longitudinally along the top of and fulcrumed in the auxiliary frame, a

pair of levers fulcrumed one in each end ot said auxiliary frame adapted to be operated lby the plate and operatively connected with the pressure applying means, the fulcrums of the levers being separate and distinct from the fulcrjum 0:! the upstanding plate, said plate, levers and pressure means being so related that when the plate stands in vertical position the rolls will be pressed together and when the plate is swung in either direction away from the vertical position thel pressure between the rolls will be relieved and the rolls may be freely moved apart.

6. In a wringer a main i'rame carrying a roll and a pair of spring-pressed rods, said rods being longitudinally slidable in the main frame, an auxiliary frame plvotally mounted with relation to the main frame, the upper end of each of the l rods being formed with a hook, a roll in the auxiliary frame, a pair of levers plvotally mounted oneon each end of the auxiliary frame, each of the levers having a nose engageable under the adjacent hook, a plate mounted on the auxiliary frame for swinging in either` direction and having means engaging each of the levers to move the levers to apply pressure between lthe rolls or release the pressure, and means for moving the lever vnoses away from the hooks when the plate is swung in either direction away from pressure applying position.

7. In a wringer a main frame having a lower roll and roll pressure means, an upper frame carrying an upper roll, said upper frame being plvotally connected to the main frame for swinging upwardly to separate the rolls, the pressure means including an upstanding portion at each end of one side of the main frame, each of the upstanding portions having a laterally extending projection, a lever at each end of the upper frame and pivoted thereto, each lever having a nose portion adapted to be moved under one of said projections or be moved free therefrom, a swinging operating member having its ends rotatably journaled in the respective ends of the upper frame, the journaled portions of the operating member having a projection eccentric to the pivotal axis of the operating member, each of said eccentric projections being at its lowermost vpoint of travel when the' operating member stands vertical, the eccentric projections at this time each bearing downwardly on the free vend portion of its corresponding lever to elevate the lever nose portion and move the latter under the adjacent laterally extending projection to raise the same to create' a corresponding pressure between the. rolls.

8. In a wringer a main frame having a lower roll and roll pressure means, an upper frame carrying an upper roll, said upper frame being pivotally connected to-the main frame for swinging upwardly to separate the rolls, the pressure means including an upstanding portion at each end of one side of the main frame, each of'theupstanding portions'having a laterally extending projection, a lever at each end of the upper frame and pivoted thereto, each lever having a noseY Aportion adapted to be moved under one of said projections or be moved free therefrom, a swinging operating member having its ends rotatably journaled in the respective ends of the-upper frame, the journaled portions of the operating member having a projection eccentric to the pivotal axis of the operating member, each of said eccentric projections being at its lowermost point of travel when the operating member stands vertical, the eccentric projections at this time each bearing downwardly on the free end portion of its corresponding lever to elevate the lever nose portion. and move the latter under the adjacent laterally extending projection to raise the same and apply the pressure in said pressure means to create a corresponding pressure between the rolls, the eccentric projections each being slidably movable in either direction on its corresponding free end portion of the lever, the swinging of the op erating member in either direction freeing the nose portion from the laterally extending portion and permitting the swinging of the upper frame v to open position.

`9. In a wringer a pair of frames, one of the frames being pivotally connected to the opposite ends of the other frame for swinging movement about the pivots, each frame carrying a roll, one of said frames having a roll pressure means, the other frame having means for applying. pressure to the pressuremeans and for releasing the same, said pressure applying and releasing means comprising a pair of levers each having releasable engagement with the roll pressure means, aswingable bar extending longitudinally ofthe wringer, and connections between the bar and the pair of levers to hold the rolls together under pressure when in one position and to relieve the pressure and permit separation of the rolls when the bar is swung in either direction away from said position, saidlevers each being fulcrumedon a bearing separate and distinct from the fulcrum bearing of the bar.

10. In -a wringer having a pair of rolls and pressure means for applying pressure between the rolls, a safety release for quickly relieving the pressure between the rolls, said safety release comprising an upstanding member extending longitudinally of the upper portion of the wringer and having its ends pivotally mounted in the respective ends of the wringer, and connecting means between the safety release and the pressure means whereby the pressure between the rolls will. be quickly relieved upon swinging the safety release in either direction, said pressure means comprising a spring-pressed rod having a lateral projection formed on its upper end, and saidconnecting means comprising a lever having a free end, a nose and an intermediate fulcrum, the pivotal mounting of the safety release having projecting means for contacting the free end of the lever to positively force the nose under the laterat projection of the pressure rod to apply u pressure between the rolls when the safety release: is moved into a predetermined position, and relieve the pressure between the rolls by swinging the safety release in either direction from said predetermined position.

, 11. In a wringer a mainframe carrying a roll and two pairs of spring-pressed rods, said rods being longitudinally slidable in the main frame, an auxiliary frame pivoted to the upper end of each ofthe rods'of one of said pair, the upper end of each of the rods of the other pair being formed-with a hook, a roll in the auxiliary frame, a pair of levers fulcrumed one in each end of the auxiliary frame, each of said levers having a nose engageable under the adjacent hooi: to lift the corresponding rod l.and apply pressure between the rolls, an upstanding member extending longitudinally along the top of the auxiliary frame and pivoted at its ends in the ends of the latter, each end of the upstanding member having a projection engaging the free end of the adjacent leverfor moving its other end to positively push its nose under its corresponding hook for lifting the latter and applying pressure between the lrolls when the upstanding member is moved to a predetermined position, said pressure being .quickly relieved and the rolls freely movable apart when the upstanding member is swung in either direction from said predetermined position,J

12. A safety release for wringers comprising a frame having separable upper and lower parts in each of which parts is mounted a roll, a lever pivotally mounted at each end of the upper part, pressure means for applying pressure between said rolls, said pressure means being formed with latching'heads each having an angular portion, a projecting portion on one end of each of the levers adapted to be held under one of the angular portions to `apply pressure to the rolls when the levers are rotated in; one direction, and a release member extendingffongitudinally of the wringer along the upper part, said member being pivoted on said upper part and having portions contacting the levers so that said projecting portions will be movedaway from engagement with the angular portion upon swingi g movement of the release member in either dir ction to release the pressure between the rolls, each of the levers having a free end, said projecting portion and an intermediate iulcrum, said contacting portions of the release member engaging the free ends of the levers to positively push said projecting portion under said angular portion of the latching heads.

13. In a wringer a main frame having a lower roll, an upper frame pivotally connected with said lower frame and carrying an upper roll, a pair of pressure rods in the main frame, each of said rods having a hook at its upper end, a release bar extending along the upper side of the upper frame 'and fulcrumed in the ends of the latter, a lever fulcrumed in each end of the upper frame, the

fulcrums of said levers being separate and dis- 4 tinct from the fulcrums of said release bar, each of said levers having a free end and a nose with the fulcrum o'f said levers located` intermediate the free end and nose, and a projection on each of the fulcrums of the release bar engaging the free ends of the levers respectively to positively push said noses under said hooks and raise the same to apply pressure between the rolls when the release bar is swung to a predetermined position. and to release said pressure when the release bar is moved eltherway from said predetermined position.

JOHN MIKULASEK. 

